Emergency services at the ready for basketball tournament
NORWICH – Each year the downtown landscape of Norwich is transformed by the throngs of basketball enthusiasts for the Norwich Family YMCA’s annual Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament.
The event initially attracted 200 teams in its first tournament, but has bloomed over the last 15 years along with its affect on the local economy and community. Today, 434 teams will compete before thousands of spectators in an event propelled by hundreds of volunteers.
In getting ready for the event, Norwich Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo said local emergency officials and the YMCA prepared a certified state permit requiring a number of contingency and emergency plans.
“It’s about 10,000 people who are coming and going. Generally the hotels are all filled and local businesses do very well with all the foot traffic in the area. We typically plan that for each player, we figure at least eight other people will be coming to the event to watch,” he said.
Over the years, Chawgo explained the central location of the Norwich Fire Station has come to play an important role in the YMCA event. The Fire House is where teams register and is where the event’s emergency command center is located.
“Actually if you were to step into my office during the event, you’d see computer screens everywhere,” said the fire chief.
In preparing for the New York State Department of Health permit, the organizers have to show they are ready to cope with even a very unlikely dire emergency.
“Parts of the permit require us to have a plan for a numerous injury incident,” said Chawgo.
The permit also demands a designated landing area for a medical helicopter and pre-approved routes for emergency access with personal prepared to clear the way for the responding crews.
Many of those working to direct traffic, care for the injured and regulate the event are volunteers from the Chenango County Fire Police. Several of those volunteers will be wearing Gus Macker EMS shirts at the event this weekend.
“Last year we had about 33 patients on Saturday and treated another 29 on Sunday ,with more than 163 and a half hours of volunteer time,” said Chawgo.
The Norwich FD will have two crews on hand for this weekend event, one assigned to the tournament and one to respond to routine calls. Even with the additional manpower though, Chawgo said all of Chenango County’s fire crews were preparing for the weekend.
“The routine stuff is still handled like every other day. The event is a little different but we’ve done it for years and know what to expect. It’s very difficult to cover a call in Sherburne or Oxford with a surge of 10,000 people in Norwich. We really need to try and stay in the area. Like we’ve done in past years, area fire departments have been put on alert so they are prepared for this weekend, too,” said Chawgo. “What makes Gus Macker work is preplanning.”
The Norwich Police Department will also have an additional officers assigned to patrol the tournament grounds day and night.
Norwich Police Sgt. Gard Turner said police closed down East Main Street from the intersection of Broad Street to the Silver, Birdsall Street intersection. Also the PD will temporarily restrict parking on parts of Front, Birdsall and Silver streets, with all parking prohibited on Mechanic Street.
Turner recommended parking in municipal parking lots for the event on Hubbard Avenue and Hale Street. He also recommended parking at the YMCA or Chenango County Office Building.
“We want event patrons to avoid parking in private business lots. Although some businesses donate space for the tournament’s activities, like the P&C parking lot, those businesses reserve the rest of their lots for their customers,” said Turner.
Both Turner and Chawgo offered similar advice to attendees at this weekend event.
“Motorists should be careful with increased pedestrian traffic in the area. Be patient, stay hydrated and remember this is a community event. People are here to have fun,” said Turner.
Recalling a number of minor sports injuries and a few competitive tempers, Chawgo offered, “There are no pro teams here this weekend scouting for their next Michael Jordan. I understand getting competitive, but when the games are over we all have to go to work Monday. At the end of the day, we’re here to play a good game and have some fun.”
The event initially attracted 200 teams in its first tournament, but has bloomed over the last 15 years along with its affect on the local economy and community. Today, 434 teams will compete before thousands of spectators in an event propelled by hundreds of volunteers.
In getting ready for the event, Norwich Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo said local emergency officials and the YMCA prepared a certified state permit requiring a number of contingency and emergency plans.
“It’s about 10,000 people who are coming and going. Generally the hotels are all filled and local businesses do very well with all the foot traffic in the area. We typically plan that for each player, we figure at least eight other people will be coming to the event to watch,” he said.
Over the years, Chawgo explained the central location of the Norwich Fire Station has come to play an important role in the YMCA event. The Fire House is where teams register and is where the event’s emergency command center is located.
“Actually if you were to step into my office during the event, you’d see computer screens everywhere,” said the fire chief.
In preparing for the New York State Department of Health permit, the organizers have to show they are ready to cope with even a very unlikely dire emergency.
“Parts of the permit require us to have a plan for a numerous injury incident,” said Chawgo.
The permit also demands a designated landing area for a medical helicopter and pre-approved routes for emergency access with personal prepared to clear the way for the responding crews.
Many of those working to direct traffic, care for the injured and regulate the event are volunteers from the Chenango County Fire Police. Several of those volunteers will be wearing Gus Macker EMS shirts at the event this weekend.
“Last year we had about 33 patients on Saturday and treated another 29 on Sunday ,with more than 163 and a half hours of volunteer time,” said Chawgo.
The Norwich FD will have two crews on hand for this weekend event, one assigned to the tournament and one to respond to routine calls. Even with the additional manpower though, Chawgo said all of Chenango County’s fire crews were preparing for the weekend.
“The routine stuff is still handled like every other day. The event is a little different but we’ve done it for years and know what to expect. It’s very difficult to cover a call in Sherburne or Oxford with a surge of 10,000 people in Norwich. We really need to try and stay in the area. Like we’ve done in past years, area fire departments have been put on alert so they are prepared for this weekend, too,” said Chawgo. “What makes Gus Macker work is preplanning.”
The Norwich Police Department will also have an additional officers assigned to patrol the tournament grounds day and night.
Norwich Police Sgt. Gard Turner said police closed down East Main Street from the intersection of Broad Street to the Silver, Birdsall Street intersection. Also the PD will temporarily restrict parking on parts of Front, Birdsall and Silver streets, with all parking prohibited on Mechanic Street.
Turner recommended parking in municipal parking lots for the event on Hubbard Avenue and Hale Street. He also recommended parking at the YMCA or Chenango County Office Building.
“We want event patrons to avoid parking in private business lots. Although some businesses donate space for the tournament’s activities, like the P&C parking lot, those businesses reserve the rest of their lots for their customers,” said Turner.
Both Turner and Chawgo offered similar advice to attendees at this weekend event.
“Motorists should be careful with increased pedestrian traffic in the area. Be patient, stay hydrated and remember this is a community event. People are here to have fun,” said Turner.
Recalling a number of minor sports injuries and a few competitive tempers, Chawgo offered, “There are no pro teams here this weekend scouting for their next Michael Jordan. I understand getting competitive, but when the games are over we all have to go to work Monday. At the end of the day, we’re here to play a good game and have some fun.”
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